Pokémon Detective: Cynthia Forces Me to Adopt a Pokémon

Chapter 233 The Night of Ultramarine and Indigo

As the sun sets and night falls, the top of the Tower of Paradise shines brightly, like a lighthouse guiding ships through the mist.

Aldak leaned against the square window of the Tower of Heaven, silently gazing at his partner's burning red insect wings, seemingly contemplating the future or reminiscing about the past.

"Speaking of which, apart from you and that old man in the blue robe, not a single trainer has come to challenge me to climb the tower today."

Perhaps out of sheer boredom, Adek suddenly turned his head and began to complain to the novelist in the dark corner across the floor.

The novelist, one of the Four Heavenly Kings responsible for staying up all night, pushed up his glasses and closed his notebook, which was halfway through writing.

"There's nothing we can do about it. All the trainers who came to challenge the champion were injured and hospitalized by that Landorus. If it weren't for Ms. Iris helping out from the sidelines, Team Plasma would have had to release their Pokémon by now."

"Hmm." Adek pondered, scratching his red hair.

"That Landorus was indeed ridiculously powerful. If I hadn't happened to be fighting it in this enclosed tower top, I really wouldn't have been able to defeat that legendary Pokémon that could soar through the sky like a cloud. It's understandable that the trainers all lost to it... But I wish I could have had such a glorious opportunity to show off my Volcarona."

As he spoke, the flames behind the champion flickered slightly.

Instead of feeling indignant about the villain's brutality, do you feel envious?

Wanlong smiled wryly and waved the notebook in his hand—

"I think Mr. Alder's record of defeating four Elite Four members in a row, plus that mysterious legendary Pokémon, is impressive enough. If this battle log recorded today were to circulate outside the League, I wonder what kind of sensation it would cause in the competitive gaming world."

During the daytime rounds, following the defeat of four champion mainstays by Cattleya, the discovery of Volcarona's true strength by Blueberry, and the mutual destruction with Volcarona by Yoggs, Elite Four member Wanlong and Elite Four member Lianwu also launched challenges against the Ardek champion.

The result was, naturally, a crushing defeat.

After Alderman sent out his most trusted partner, the intensity of the battle immediately escalated. Even at the end of her life, Volcarona still taught the two young Elite Four members a lesson with her resolute flames.

Of course, even if Volcarona seems to have an infinite life force to burn, Mr. Alderman would not agree to let his old partner fight to the end in two consecutive all-out battles against the Elite Four. Naturally, he would rotate and switch defensively depending on the situation during the game.

While Alder's other Pokémon were equally powerful, they were still no match for the aged Volcarona, whose strength was now surpassing its peak. After a fierce battle, Elite Four member and Wanlong finally defeated Alder's five handheld Pokémon. The Fighting Elite Four member defeated three, and the Ghost Elite Four member defeated two.

“Speaking of daytime battles, Wanlong,” Adek said, winking mischievously at the novelist who was full of energy in the dead of night.

"You didn't use your full strength, did you?"

"Huh?" Wanlong looked like she had been hit by a "startled" move, and almost dropped the battle notes in her hand.

"Leaving aside the Yueju, which was wiped out because it went all out to fight targets with unfavorable attributes, Wanlong, you should be the worst performer among the Four Heavenly Kings, right?"

Adek examined the lines on his palm and spoke calmly, as if discussing something unrelated to himself.

"How can the quality of a battle be measured by the number of Pokémon defeated?"

Having quickly prepared his words, the Ghost King spoke again with conviction.

"Historically, there have been instances of a single, heavily injured Pokémon staging a comeback to defeat the entire opposing team. There are also various tactics that utilize moves like 'Baton Pass' and 'Trick Room,' relying on the strategic deployment of the preceding Pokémon to pave the way for the subsequent Pokémon's attack… You should also understand that the results of a single skirmish are of no value; Pokémon battles are only about the final outcome. If you cannot win, no matter how many of your Pokémon defeat you, it will be in vain."

From this perspective, whether it's Wanlong, Lianwu, or Gadria, those who failed to win were all defeated opponents of equal caliber. However, Yueju and the intruding Team Plasma sage realized the true focus of this battle early on… but they, too, had misjudged the situation.

"No, that's not what I meant." The Unova Champion waved his hand. "Do you remember that evening when I entrusted Lianwu with the six Pokémon to take back to the Pokémon Center to recover their strength?"

For this tower climb, Aldak brought a total of twelve powerful championship-caliber aces.

After a day of intense battles, ten of the Pokémon were defeated one after another.

"Although they have all lost their ability to battle, the injuries of the ten Pokémon are quite different," the elderly champion remarked with emotion.

"Some of them are only temporarily unconscious due to the impact of the moves. As long as they take a stamina-restoring medicine and rest quietly for a while, they can be back in action in another battle. Others, like Volcarona, are too reckless in battle. Even if they receive emergency treatment immediately after the battle, they still need to be sent to the doctors at the Pokémon Center for another examination and treatment, and then they need to recuperate for a long time."

Wanlong's eyes darted away.

Of the six Pokémon that Mr. Alder sent back to the Pokémon Center to recover, apart from Volcarona, which was defeated by Yorgus, three of them were seriously injured by Fighting Champion Lian Wu, and two of them were defeated by Psychic Champion Cattleya...

All three Pokémon defeated by Lianwu were seriously injured, and two of the four Pokémon defeated by Gadria also needed to be sent for treatment.

Ironically, the two champion Pokémon that were defeated by the female novelist are still alive and well, curled up in Alder's Poké Ball.

"Miss Wanlong, you wouldn't have held back during our fight, would you? Do you really enjoy sympathizing with an old man who's past his prime?"

The Unova Champions watched with glee as the Ghost King descended into chaos.

"Please stop joking, Mr. Adek. Who can hold back their strength in the face of such intense pressure from the Volcano?" Wanlong couldn't help but protest loudly.

"Unlike Mr. Lianwu's brutal fighting style and Miss Cattleya's supernatural abilities, my Ghost-type attacks are more likely to cause this kind of unconsciousness that is not serious injury."

Suspicion lurks in the shadows, demons and monsters lurk in the human heart like shadows in the night, and malevolent energy assails people, causing their spirits to scatter and their souls to fly away.

For Ghost-type Pokémon, whose core attributes originate from ghosts and monsters, they are indeed better at creating a sinister and eerie atmosphere than engaging in head-on confrontations—unwittingly haunting their opponents with ethereal phantoms, launching unexpected and startling attacks from dark corners, or causing them to gradually lose consciousness in an extremely terrifying experience...

"Is it just a matter of attributes?"

Under Adek's meaningful gaze, Wanlong, sweating profusely, had no choice but to confess—

"Well, to be honest, my hesitation might have been reflected in my full-scale battle with you. Indeed, the sudden intrusion of that Plasma Sage had a great impact on me."

"How to say?"

"Watching Landorus and Volcarona fight, I realized a fact—that is, I do not yet have the magnanimity to become the Unova Champion."

In full-scale battles, even the slightest hesitation from a trainer will be reflected in their command and coordination with their partner. Wanlong, worried about not being able to live up to the champion's expectations, naturally couldn't fully commit to the battle.

In this sense, she, the Ghost-type Heavenly King, is the most unenlightened of the four Heavenly Kings of the Unified State.

"Really? I think I can retire with peace of mind no matter which of you four I hand over the championship title to."

Adek scratched the back of his head as he spoke, as if he truly meant it.

"That's because you're too magnanimous," Wanlong said, shaking his head helplessly.

"In today's Unova, the Champion title is by no means an easy task. There are Mr. Alder's long-standing unfinished business to deal with, and the restless Team Plasma is plotting something big. In this crisis-ridden environment, it's really hard to imagine what kind of storms the newly crowned Champion will face."

"Oh dear, it would be great if some outstanding young people could step up at a time like this... Ten years ago, the Sinnoh League chose a little girl as the champion, and now it seems like a wise move, doesn't it?"

The novelist sternly corrected: "That Miss Zhulan defeated both the Four Heavenly Kings and the Champion, winning the title through her own merit. It's completely different from your current situation of trying to find someone to award the title, Mr. Aldeck."

"Can Volcano and I hold out a little longer? Who can predict what will happen tomorrow... Speaking of which, that little girl Alice will probably climb the tower and challenge me tomorrow, right? Didn't she just make a big splash while cooperating with the police in a manhunt?"

“It’s a pity.” Wanlong shook his head. “According to the information Yueju sent me, Miss Alice suffered serious injuries to many of her Pokémon after fighting Team Plasma. She is currently receiving treatment at the Pokémon Center and it will be impossible for her to climb the tower tomorrow.”

"That's a real shame." The current champion, who was waiting for the handover, sighed.

"That child has good talent and comprehension, but her only flaw is that she is a little too impatient. A common characteristic of Dragon-type Pokémon is the composure that comes with their long lifespan. Iris should learn to be more composed in battles... I was thinking of telling her this during a battle, but it seems I'll have to find another time."

“Mr. Adek is still so good at teaching students... I, Lianwu, Cattleya and Yueju, were able to get to where we are today thanks to your constant guidance.”

After chatting for so long in the warm glow of the fire, even Wanlong couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Chandelier, Craftsman, Artificial Egg, Krookodile—these Pokémon, now considered the representatives of the Elite Four, were all your main Pokémon back in the day, Mr. Alder. So, even if you didn't successfully pass on the Champion title these past few days, your legacy has already become a prevailing trend in the Unova League."

"Hmph, as expected of a novelist, what remarkable speaking skills. Wasn't it you disobedient disciples who just sent the teachers to the Pokémon Center's emergency room?"

Adek snorted through his nose, but at the same time he laughed heartily, seemingly very pleased with Wanlong's subtle praise.

The student surpasses the teacher—this is the greatest praise for a teacher.

"I have indeed considered returning to Woodland to become a Pokémon teacher after stepping down as champion... However, before that—"

Despite the high temperature, the old man stroked the white downy hairs on the waist and abdomen of the fire moth, which looked as if they were burning.

"My partner and I have been the League Champions of the Unova region for decades, but we have never taught anyone the secrets of Bug-type Pokémon."

"Isn't Mr. Artie, the Gym Leader of Flying Cloud City, an expert on Bug-type Pokémon? Besides the Unova region, isn't there also a Bug-type Elite Four member like Ariel from the Sinnoh region?"

"I've been watching their playing style."

Surprisingly, Adek replied as follows—

"And there's Pixie from the Azalea Gym in the Johto region, and Violet from the Ebony Gym in the Kalos region. These people are experts in using Bug-type Pokémon, and their love and expertise in insects are beyond my reach... However, they cannot inherit Volcarona's resolve."

"Awakening...?"

This is precisely what Wanlong herself lacks.

Adek, unusually talkative, seemed to have truly transformed into a garrulous old teacher—

"For them, Bug-type Pokémon are endearing beings. Their ultimate goal in raising Bug-type Pokémon is to weave unique tactics for their partners and defeat opponents they should look up to in unexpected and overwhelming ways... It may be curious research, great art, vivid record, or fun play; perhaps they can continue on their own path and reach realms I cannot reach... But there is a fundamental difference between their own understanding and the path I have walked."

"What kind of deviation?" The novelist gripped his notebook tightly, determined to etch the aging champion's answer onto the pages.

"That is……"

Adek opened his mouth, but then suddenly fell silent.

"What's wrong?" Wanlong asked.

"What a delightful evening!" The champion grinned, revealing his white teeth. "Finally, we have more guests."

.

"Mr. Hugo, are you really planning to challenge Ardek for the championship? Isn't that a bit too much of a stretch?"

The purple-haired girl followed behind the detective in black. Although she had asked the same question many times along the way, she was still like a noisy bird that could only repeat the same sentence, tirelessly pestering Hugo.

The detective finally gave his answer—

“At noon, something you said touched me. So I felt I had to climb the tower and come here.”

Even without that reason, Hugo would still come here to retrieve Victini's Poké Ball for N...

"Huh? Did I say something so remarkable?"

Recalling her conversation with the detective after being defeated by the Dark Trio, Alice realized she had been crying and whining for no reason the whole time. Until just now, she naively thought Hugo had changed his mind and decided to challenge the champion to cheer her on.

"That's incredibly arrogant," the detective in black scoffed, his tone no longer as friendly as usual.

"You actually claim that you and Haxorus can become the best students of Champion Alder and Volcarona. Miss Alice, there is a limit to arrogance."